Now I know that as soon as some people read this title they are gonna have their guard up or perhaps not even read this. Eschatology, or our idea of the end times, is a hot subject in Christian circles. Much time is spent arguing whether or not their will be a rapture, whether one is a pre-, post-, or amillenialist. Our ideas of heaven and hell and how God will (or will not) judge people and who will be saved. All of these are, if not overtly, hotly contested issues within churches and some people will go to a church or not depending on the churches view on eschatology.
Others take a different approach. Many people, in reaction to the hype around these issues, believe that it is better to ignore them. If we don't argue about them then it is better, in fact no one really cares or needs to care about the end times; what happens will happen. While I agree with some of this I also think that, while we could definately argue less, I would say that our view on what happens after this life or at the end of the world shapes how we live today. Let me explain.
If you are an atheist and you believe there is nothing after this life expect worms and darkness, then this will affect how you live your life. You will probably need to find a reason for being on this planet for 80 odd years. Usually that involves fun, money, work, family etc. They become your purpose but there is no need to rack up 'brownie points' by living for anyone or anything other than what you want and what makes you happy. You may chose to help others and be a giving person but that would be out of your own desire not from any belief that a person is intrinsicly worth something or compassion and love is something that has a 'higher purpose'. Your belief in nothing after life will dictate how you feel about life and how you respond to others.
On the other hand if you believe that there is something after this life then that will have an impact to. Maybe you don't believe in bodily resurrection. If you don't then your attitude towards people with physically disabilities may be one of deep sorrow and very little hope for those people. They have been 'cursed' in a sense and will never know anything else. If you believe in bodily resurrection then you will have hope for their one day being able to run and walk and be healed. There is a reason to not despair. Your view on bodily resurrection after this life affects how you think and feel and act in this life.
If you believe that everyone will be saved then you may not evangelise as much as someone who believes passionately that there is a selection process that people go through. In fact religions that have a belief in life after death are much more evangelistic than those that don't. In other words our eschatological beliefs shape how we act towards others and how we think about the value of life.
I think that this is something we need to be aware of. We need to discover what we believe about life after death and the end times, and why we believe it, so that we can see how this impacts the way we view others and humanity. Many Christians never look at what they believe will happen and don't see the impact that it has on their actions. Churches are often so strong on eschatology or so anti teaching it that people can get quite an unbalanced view and never see how it impacts today! So think on your eschatology, don't avoid it, argue and debate and think and ponder and challenge yourself and others. Perhaps what you find out about yourself and how you think about others will shock and challenge you.
Eschatology is not your enemy, embrace the tension!
No comments:
Post a Comment